YORK - Julia Schell scored six - yes, six - second-half tries to help Canada to a 65-7 win against Fiji at the York Community Stadium on Saturday to leave her team top of Group B after the first round of games.
Story of the match
Canada were efficient rather than exciting in the first half, using their lineout as a platform to score the first two tries before going through the phases for the next two to lead 23-0 at half-time.
Fiji scored the try of the game early in the second half, Kolora Lomani showing an impressive turn of pace to touch down after a flowing team move that spanned the length of the field and included a cross-field kick, dazzling footwork and Fiji's trademark offloading skills.
But the day belonged to Schell, who scored her double hat-trick in the space of just 22 second-half minutes as Canada's backs began to find their groove to go with their forward dominance.
Karen Paquin completed the scoring with her team's 11th try.
Mastercard Player of the Match
Julia Schell, who more than doubled her try tally for Canada by touching down six times, was given more than a little incentive for her second-half supershow.
“My coach told me at half-time I needed to win my one-on-ones so it was nice to prove him wrong," said the full-back.
“The support was amazing. Before I scored my first try, a guy over there [pointing] said he would give me 200 bucks (pounds). I’m not very good at math but I need to go talk to him probably.”
Coach insight
“I’m very happy," Canada head coach Kevin Rouet said. "It took a little bit of time, but I’m very happy with the way we finished the game also.
“The games will be tougher and tougher. We won’t unlock every team after 20 minutes, we know that. But we made a good performance and are very happy with 65 points.
Fiji's head Ioan Cunningham said he was "extremely proud", despite the heavy defeat: "We showed what we can do with the try that we scored. We probably didn’t put enough of those moments together, but congratulations to Canada. They showed why they are the second-best team in the world.
“We will have a good, honest review. We’ve got need to learn quickly and sort it out.”
Stat of the Day
8 - The most number of tries scored in a single Women's Rugby World Cup game, by Portia Woodman (NZL) in 2017. Schell is now second.
Next steps
A Pool B double header in Manchester on Saturday, 30 August, with Canada v Wales followed by Scotland-Fiji.
